Nobody said this would be easy.

Carlos Rodon dominated the Cleveland Guardians for six innings as the New York Yankees captured Game 1 of the ALCS 5-2 on Monday night.

The Yankees starter surrendered just three hits and one run while racking up nine strikeouts.

So while Guardians reliever Joey Cantillo uncorked four wild pitches, he wasn’t the real problem.

HELP IS NEEDED

Alex Cobb started for Cleveland, but he only lasted until the third inning before his back and hip gave out on him.

Juan Soto led off the third inning with a solo homer off Cobb, who then walked the bases loaded.

Cantillo’s first two wild pitches increased New York’s lead to 3-0.

After Cantillo’s next two wild pitches, Pedro Avila came to the rescue and induced three fly-ball outs. One was a sacrifice fly by Aaron Judge to make the score 4-0.

A GLIMMER OF HOPE

Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio continued his hot postseason with a solo home run in the sixth.

Giarcarlo Stanton earned his big money for the Yankees with a solo homer off Erik Sabrowski in the seventh to increase the lead to 5-1.

Cleveland scored in the eighth on a Steven Kwan single before Yankee closer Luke Weaver came in for a five-out save.

Game 2 will be a battle of aces as the Guardians’ Tanner Bibee takes on Gerrit Cole. First pitch is set for 7:38 tonight on TBS.